Opposition walks out of Rajya Sabha as debate on Bengal voter roll revision is denied

Opposition parties staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) after Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan declined their demand for a fresh discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.

The confrontation began when Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien attempted to raise a point of order, pressing for a debate on the SIR exercise. Mr. Radhakrishnan rejected the plea, stating that adequate time had already been given during the Winter Session’s discussions on electoral reforms. 

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The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge backed Mr. O’Brien’s demand, calling it “very important”. As Opposition members raised slogans. Mr. Radhakrishnan’s repeated pleas for restoring order had little impact on the protesting members, who staged a walk out.  

Following the walkout, the Leader of the House J.P. Nadda accused the Opposition of avoiding substantive debate. He said extensive discussions, spanning 15 to 16 hours, had taken place on electoral reforms, including the SIR, but the Opposition had walked out without hearing the government’s reply to the debate. He reiterated the charge he had levelled on Monday, accusing the Opposition of undermining democratic norms and “bringing about anarchy”.

The dispute continued into the Question Hour, during which TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray used a brief preface to question the Centre’s “coercive measures” in West Bengal under the SIR. He pointed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s five-day dharna, saying it underscored threats to the fundamental rights of millions. Mr. Ray urged the Centre to send representatives to investigate why only West Bengal was being subjected to such measures.

Responding to his allegations, Mr. Nadda accused the West Bengal government of ignoring the rules and regulations. “A lady Chief Minister has disrespected a lady President of India,” Mr. Nadda said.